Waterproof swim cap

ABSTRACT

A waterproof cap with at least two fasteners that allows a swimmer to gently cover his or her voluminous hair. The cap consists of a pliable and waterproof material (such as silicone, latex etc) that conforms to the volume of the swimmer&#39;s hair. The waterproof fasteners are secured resulting in a closed surface ending at the base of the cap along the swimmer&#39;s forehead. At the base of the cap along the circumference of the head, a flexible strap is used to tighten the cap. The flexible strap is used to prevent water from entering the cap&#39;s hair cover section and keeping the hair dry.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) fromprovisional application Ser. No. 62/074,839 filed on Nov. 4, 2014,entitled “Waterproof Swim Cap” and 62/207,966 filed on Aug. 21, 2015,entitled “Waterproof Swim Cap”; both of which are incorporated herein byreference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to the field of swimming wear. More specificallythis invention is related to a swim cap that does not sit against awearer's scalp preventing damage to the wearer's hair style.

2. Background

Silicone swim caps are designed to fit snuggly against the wearer'sscalp. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 7,189,130 describes a cap with aflexible body having a dome shape for conveniently conforming to aswimmer's head. U.S. Pat. No. 7,827,621 describes a hair drying cap thatabsorbs moisture from the hair of the wearer. U.S. Patent ApplicationPublication US2012/0131717 provides a swim cap comprising a pocket forholding objects. U.S. Patent Application Publication U.S. 2013/0247269describes a decorative swim/bath/shower cap that allows the wearer toprotect his or her long hair. The cap comprises a draw-string that canbe used to tighten a head band on the cap against the person's head.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a solution to the above and otherproblems by enabling a waterproof swim cap with at least one twofasteners and which provides a cavity that is larger than standard caps.The cap consists of a pliable and waterproof material such as silicone,latex, etc., that conforms to the volume of the individual wearer's hairand has at least two fasteners, e.g., zippers; or a single two-wayzipper. The styled or voluminous hair is first placed under theunfastened, e.g., un-zipped, cap. A first waterproof fastener is thenclosed/zipped resulting in a surface ending at the base of the cap alongthe swimmers forehead. A second waterproof fastener, e.g., zipper, isthen closed completing the form of the cap and creating a cavity/pocketfor the swimmer's hair. A water resistant seal formed by a front base onthe front side and a back base on the back side of the cap when thefastening device is fastened. In one preferred embodiment, a flexiblestrap is included at the base of the cap along the circumference of thehead. The strap is used to tighten the cap. The cap is sealed againstthe wearer's head by tightening the flexible strap and securing thestrap to a releasable element, such a fastener or a snap. The flexiblestrap prevents water from entering the wearer's head and maintains thehair inside the cap dry.

Other and additional objects of this invention will become apparent froma consideration of this entire specification.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other features, aspects, and advantages of the presentinvention are considered in more detail, in relation to the followingdescription of embodiments thereof shown in the accompanying drawings,in which:

FIG. 1 is a frontal view of a user wearing the waterproof swim cap.

FIG. 2 is a side view of a user wearing the waterproof swim cap.

FIG. 3A is a top view of the waterproof swim cap unfastened/unzipped,utilizing two separate zippers.

FIG. 3B is the top view of the waterproof swim capunfastened/unzippered, utilizing a two way zipper.

FIG. 4 is a frontal view of the waterproof swim cap with an extensionelement not fastened.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The invention summarized above and defined by the enumerated claims maybe better understood by referring to the following description, whichshould be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in whichlike reference numbers are used for like parts. This description of anembodiment, set out below to enable one to build and use animplementation of the invention, is not intended to limit the invention,but to serve as a particular example thereof Those skilled in the artshould appreciate that they may readily use the conception and specificembodiments disclosed as a basis for modifying or designing othermethods and systems for carrying out the same purposes of the presentinvention. Those skilled in the art should also realize that suchequivalent assemblies do not depart from the spirit and scope of theinvention in its broadest form.

The waterproof, fastened, e.g, zippered, swim cap allows people withstyled, thick, or long hair, to swim without affecting their hair style.Costly hairstyles that consist of beads, balls, braids, extensions,dreadlocks limit the use of a standard silicone swim caps or othersimilar caps that require tight fitting along the entire head. Whetherthe swimmer has voluminous or accessorized hair it is very difficult fora standard cap to fit comfortably over the head, if it even fits at all.

Due to this obstacle, people of all ages never learn how to swim in fearthat the water will ruin the hairstyle and getting in the water may alsoresult in chemical breakage from the chlorine.

With a standard cap, the hair needs to be braided first in a style thatlays flat against the head. If this style is not an option at the timethat the standard swim cap is placed on the hair, pulling of the hair,which causes pain, occurs.

The waterproof fastened, e.g., zippered swim cap described herein isdesigned to cover any hairstyle without causing pain, breakage, and,more importantly, it preserves the wearer's hairstyle. As a result, thenumber of children and adults participating in swim lessons and poolrelated activities will increase. Thus, there will be an increase inswimming skills and awareness.

The present invention is referred to generally in FIG. 1-4. A pliableand waterproof material is used to construct the cap 15, which allowsfor comfort and enough elasticity to conform to the volume of theswimmer's hair. The cap 15 has two sections: a hair cover section 14 anda fastening section 13. The hair cover section 14 is configured to allowthe hair of the swimmer to maintain its style. As a result, the haircover section 14 does not press against the swimmer's scalp.

The hair cover section 14 has at least two water proof fasteners, e.g.,zippers 16. Fasteners may include zippers, hook and loop fasteners,buttons, pressure seals, and similar mechanical elements that allow theuser to close the side of the cap 15 to form a cavity or pocket for hairinside the cap 15 and prevent water from entering the cavity/pocket forthe swimmer's hair. When the water proof fasteners, e.g., zippers, 16are open or unzipped, the cap 15 can lay flat on a surface or on theuser's head, which allows the user to easily attach the cap 15 to his orher head without disturbing the hair style.

In a preferred embodiment as shown in FIG. 3A there are two waterprooffasteners, e.g., zippers. The cap 15 comprises a back side 33 and afront side 38. The back side 33 has a first end 41 and a second end 45,and the front side 38 has a first end 47 and a second end 49. The backside 33 first end 41 and the front side 38 first end 47 are connected bya first fastener or zipper 51. The back side 33 second end 45 and thefront side 38 second end 49 are connected by a second fastener or zipper16. When the first fastener or zipper 51 is closed, the back side's 33first end 41 and the front side's 38 first end 47 come together. Whenthe second fastener or zipper 16 is closed, the back side's 33 secondend 41 and the front side's 38 second end 47 come together. When bothfasteners, e.g., zippers, 16, 51 are closed the device takes the form ofthe cap 15 and a lose pocket is created for the swimmer's hair. The cap15 is designed in such a way that there is extra material between thefasteners, e.g., zippers, 16, 51 in order to protect the hair style ofthe user. A water resistant seal formed by a front base on the frontside and a back base on the back side of the cap when the fasteningdevice is fastened.

In another embodiment, the water proof fasteners 16 are formed as a twoway zipper that can be zipped from either side and to any point alongthe length of the zipper. The waterproof fasteners, e.g., zippers, 16allow the cap to open without having to pull the cap over the head andallows the wearer to adjust and position the hair comfortably beforeclosing the fastener. In a preferred embodiment, a fold 17 on theanterior side of the fasteners, e.g., zippers, (the side in contact withthe user's hair) prevents the hair from getting caught in the fasteners,e.g., zippers, when the cap 15 is placed on the head and secured. A flap18 placed on the posterior side of the fasteners, e.g., zippers, (theside on the outside of the cap 15 when worn) allows for the fasteners,e.g., zippers, to remain hidden upon closing.

In some embodiments, the cap 15 comprises a back side 33 and a frontside 38. The back side 33 has a first end 41 and a second end 45, andthe front side 38 has a first end 47 and a second end 49. The back side33 first end 41 and the front side 38 first end 47 are connected by afirst fastener or zipper 51. The back side 33 second end 45 and thefront side 38 second end 49 are connected by a second fastener or zipper16. When the first fastener or zipper 51 is closed, the back side's 33first end 41 and the front side's 38 first end 47 come together. Whenthe second fastener or zipper 16 is closed, the back side's 33 secondend 41 and the front side's 38 second end 47 come together. When bothfasteners, e.g., zippers, 16, 51 are closed the device takes the form ofthe cap 15 and a lose pocket is created for the swimmer's hair. The cap15 is designed in such a way that there is extra material between thefasteners, e.g., zippers, 16, 51 in order to protect the hair style ofthe user. A water resistant seal formed by a front base on the frontside and a back base on the back side of the cap when the fasteningdevice is fastened.

Once the fasteners 16, whether in the form of multiple zippers, a singletwo way zipper, or any other combination of fastener, are closed aroundthe head of the person wearing the cap 15, the front side 38 and backside 33 form a water resistant seal on the person's head. The sealprevents the rest of the person's hair from getting wet and keeps theirhair dry.

In one alternative embodiment, a flexible strap 19, on the fasteningsection 13, travels the circumference of the cap 15 is also made of apliable and waterproof material used to secure the cap once it has beenplaced and zipped close. The strap 19 may extend beyond the side of thecap 15 in order to attach to a fasteners, such a snap or a hook and loopfastener and tighten the cap 15. Tightening the flexible strap 19creates a seal around the swimmers head that prevents water fromentering the cap 15. The plastic fastener 20 is a snap-like mechanismused to secure the flexible strap 19 once it has been pulled andadjusted enough to comfortably fit around the circumference of theswimmer's head while preventing water from entering the cap 15. It iscontemplated that other types of fastening devices as known by a personof skill in the art can be used. For example, the fastener may includehook and loop fasteners, buttons, and similar mechanical elements thatallow the user to tighten the strap and fasten it the cap 15 to theswimmer's head.

The invention has been described with references to a preferredembodiment. While specific values, relationships, materials and stepshave been set forth for purposes of describing concepts of theinvention, it will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art thatnumerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the invention asshown in the specific embodiments without departing from the spirit orscope of the basic concepts and operating principles of the invention asbroadly described. It should be recognized that, in the light of theabove teachings, those skilled in the art can modify those specificswithout departing from the invention taught herein. Having now fully setforth the preferred embodiments and certain modifications of the conceptunderlying the present invention, various other embodiments as well ascertain variations and modifications of the embodiments herein shown anddescribed will obviously occur to those skilled in the art upon becomingfamiliar with such underlying concept. It is intended to include allsuch modifications, alternatives and other embodiments insofar as theycome within the scope of the appended claims or equivalents thereof. Itshould be understood, therefore, that the invention may be practicedotherwise than as specifically set forth herein. Consequently, thepresent embodiments are to be considered in all respects as illustrativeand not restrictive.

What is claimed is:
 1. A swim cap, comprising: a back side that furthercomprises a back side first end and a backside second end opposite saidbackside first end; a front side that further comprises a front sidefirst end and a front side second end opposite said first side firstend; a fastening device connecting said backside first end and saidfront side first end; the fastening device also connecting said backsidesecond end and said front side second end; wherein said cap isconfigured so that when the fastening device is fastened, a hair coversection is formed that provides a loose pocket for a swimmer's hair anda water resistant seal formed by a front base on the front side and aback base on the back side of the cap when the fastening device isfastened.
 2. The swim cap of claim 1, further comprising: a strap isconfigured to tighten the cap against the swimmer's head and preventswater from entering the hair cover section.
 3. The swim cap of claim 1,further comprising a fold configured to prevent hair from getting caughtin the fastening device.
 4. The swim cap of claim 2, further comprisinga fastener configured to allow the strap to seal the cap against aswimmer's head.
 5. The swim cap of claim 1, wherein said fasteningdevice is a two way zipper.
 6. The swim cap of claim 5, wherein saidzipper is waterproof.
 7. The swim cap of claim 4, wherein the fasteneris selected from the group consisting of a loop and hook fastener, abutton fastener, and a clip fastener.
 8. A swim cap, comprising: a backside that further comprises a back side first end and a backside secondend opposite said backside first end; a front side that furthercomprises a front side first end and a front side second end oppositesaid first side first end; a first fastening device connecting saidbackside first end and said front side first end; a second fasteningdevice connecting said backside second end and said front side secondend; and configured so that when the first fastening device and thesecond fastening device are fastened, a cavity is formed that provideslose packet for a swimmer's hair.
 9. The swim cap of claim 8, furthercomprising: a strap is configured to tighten the cap against theswimmer's head and prevents water from entering the hair cover section.10. The swim cap of claim 8, further comprising a fold configured toprevent hair from getting caught in the first or second fasteningdevices.
 11. The swim cap of claim 9, further comprising a fastenerconfigured to allow the strap seal the cap against a swimmer's head. 12.The swim cap of claim 8, wherein said fastening device is a two wayzipper.
 13. The swim cap of claim 12, wherein said zipper is waterproof.14. The swim cap of claim 11, wherein the fastener is selected from thegroup consisting of a loop and hook fastener, a button fastener, and aclip fastener.